Open AccessNano-insecticides against the black cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Toxicity, development, enzyme activity, and DNA mutagenicity
Author(s) -
Mona Awad,
El-Desoky S. Ibrahim,
Engy Osman,
Wael Elmenofy,
Abdel Wahab M. Mahmoud,
Mohamed A. M. Atia,
Moataz A. M. Moustafa
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0254285
Subject(s) - agrotis ipsilon , cutworm , biology , noctuidae , toxicology , lepidoptera genitalia , biopesticide , dna damage , pesticide , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , dna , genetics , agronomy
Frequent applications of synthetic insecticides might cause environmental pollution due to the high residue. In addition, increasing insecticide resistance in many insect pests requires novel pest control methods. Nanotechnology could be a promising field of modern agriculture, and is receiving considerable attention in the development of novel nano-agrochemicals, such as nanoinsectticides and nanofertilizers. This study assessed the effects of the lethal and sublethal concentrations of chlorantraniliprole, thiocyclam, and their nano-forms on the development, reproductive activity, oxidative stress enzyme activity, and DNA changes in the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon , at the molecular level. The results revealed that A . ipsilon larvae were more susceptible to the nano-forms than the regular forms of both nano chlorine and sulfur within the chlorantraniliprole and thiocyclam insecticides, respectively, with higher toxicities than the regular forms (ca. 3.86, and ca.2.06-fold, respectively). Significant differences in biological parameters, including developmental time and reproductive activity (fecundity and hatchability percent) were also observed. Correspondingly, increases in oxidative stress enzyme activities were observed, as were mutagenic effects on the genomic DNA of A . ipsilon after application of the LC 50 of the nano-forms of both insecticides compared to the control. These promising results could represent a crucial step toward developing efficient nanoinsecticides for sustainable control of A . ipsilon .